New York lawmakers create 'heroin package' to curb addiction

New York legislators have reached a deal to try to prevent and treat a rising number of heroin and prescription opioid drug addictions and overdoses. Among the points contained in the deal are: expanded insurance coverage, including continuation of treatment while insurance-coverage determinations are made; new pilot programs to leverage non-hospital settings; and bigger penalties for providers that overprescribe controlled substances.

This group of 11 bills comes at a time when heroin addiction is garnering attention. Earlier this year, the state's attorney general had promised to fund a measure to provide naloxone to every police officer.

However, among proposals not included in the lawmakers' final package was allowing prosecutors to slap drug dealers with homicide charges for the sale of opioids that cause a death, and mandatory continuing education for physicians.